Hello. I am a 46 yo survivor of child abuse at the hands of my mother and father. The abuses consisted of beatings, being verbally abused, being tickled until I urinated in my pants, and emotional neglect. On one occasion I was beaten until I was unconscious by my father and experienced a near death experience. In 1995 I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety stemming from this abuse. I have been in therapy, on a variety of medications and hospitalized twice due to this abuse, once for attempted suicide and the other for a emotional breakdown. To this date, I estimate I have spent between $10,000 and $12,000 in the last 12 years on treatment for these issues. I do not want to press charges against my parents, but I would like to know if I am entitled to reimbursement for the money I've spent, and the emotional damage cause by this abuse. Since I'm a pessimist (thanks mom and dad), I doubt there's anything that can be done, but I figure it doesn't hurt to ask. Any help that anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Hello jd:

Anybody can sue anybody for anything. The problem you're going to have is the statute of limitations. That means you only have a limited time in which to sue. However, those abused at the hands of the catholic clergy sued and won, so you have a shot at it.

I agree with you. It doesn't hurt to ask. However, you should be asking attorney's who, if they think you can win, will represent you. If you don't find anybody, your question will be answered.

excon

There is another path you can take.

Tell them if they don't compensate you, you will press criminal charges.

Make an agreement with them. They settle for 10,000 or so and you promise never to file criminal charges.

Oh, and I am sorry to hear that they abused you. That is not something that anyone should ever have to go though.

I would say sadly the statue of limitation on both criminal and civil have long ago ran out.

So I doubt at this point in your life at 46 you have any case what so ever.

Forgive and forget and move on. Asking for reimbursement will only make things worse.

Chuck, it all depends where he lives.

In Canada for example, the SOL on criminal charges for indictable offences (such as sexual assault, etc) never runs out because there is no SOL.